LEGO Achieves 100 Percent Renewable Energy Target

The LEGO Group — the company behind the bestselling toy known for sparking imaginations worldwide — recently announced that it has reached an impressive renewable energy target. The company reportedly generates enough sustainable energy to power its manufacturing processes, putting it three years ahead of schedule — and setting a high bar for other companies to reach.

At one time, the LEGO Group was a target for environmental action, with activists urging the company to replace the plastics in its bricks with renewable materials. In 2015 Lego announced that it would commit millions of dollars to developing sustainable materials, phasing out the bulk of its damaging plastics by 2030.

Now, with its investment in the Burbo Bank Extension Offshore Wind Farm, LEGO has managed to smash its renewable energy targets well ahead of the company’s self-imposed 2020 deadline.

The wind farm, which opened on May 17, adds to the LEGO Group’s existing raft of sustainable energy investments, meaning that the company is now generating as much — if not more — renewable energy as carbon-based energy.

“We work to leave a positive impact on the planet and I am truly excited about the inauguration of the Burbo Bank Extension wind farm. This development means we have now reached the 100% renewable energy milestone three years ahead of target. Together with our partners, we intend to continue investing in renewable energy to help create a better future for the builders of tomorrow,” said Bali Padda, CEO of the LEGO Group.

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The total ouput from the investments by the LEGO Group in renewables now exceeds the energy consumed at all LEGO factories, stores and offices globally. In 2016, more than 360 gigawatt hours of energy were used by the LEGO Group to produce the more than 75 billion LEGO bricks sold around the world during the year.

But what about distribution?

Admittedly, that realm doesn’t appear to fall under this target, so the LEGO Group will have to address its distribution practices in the future.

Environmental advocates have expressed other concerns, as well. For example, even if LEGO actively pursues renewable energy sources, the petrochemical-rich plastics in its manufacturing and packaging processes still create a heavy environmental burden.

Even so, the LEGO Group has taken a significant step toward creating a sustainability standard that other companies should follow. After all, many companies with significant monetary capital simply rely on buying tax credits to offset their fossil fuel usage. This often exploits a carbon market that was really only intended to be a last resort.

Instead, LEGO has taken a different path and by investing heavily in renewable energy — and the company doesn’t intend to stop any time soon.

LEGO’s investments in major offshore wind farm operations have been essential in reaching this target. However, the company is keen to incorporate even more solar energy and other renewables into the mix.

The LEGO Group has significantly increased its presence in Asia — particularly in China — opening new offices and a major manufacturing complex. Heavily invested in the solar energy market, China has more than doubled its solar energy capacity in 2016 alone. The move has made the country poised to be the biggest supplier of solar energy in the world.

What better way for the LEGO Group to ingratiate itself with this new market than to invest in, promote and utilize one of China’s leading choices of renewable energy?

As other analysts have pointed out, this news from the LEGO Group directly opposes the common narrative that, in order to embrace renewables, companies must make significant sacrifices.

Once again, we see how industry leaders can transition to a renewable energy economy not just out of necessity, but also as a means of energizing businesses and providing new opportunities for sustained growth.

Great, amazing. I have one question do, if Lego is working very well with China because they (China) "...has more than doubled its solar energy capacity in 2016 alone...", why the chines government is not telling all the cosmetic companies that they are going animal free? Double morals. I don't get it.